Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30

[BlueBullet]

After half way through welding holes shut I decided to find a filler for the larger holes. It was talking a lot of time and wire welding them shut so a 1/4 inch nut worked good.

[Dieselwrencher]

Looking good! I feel your pain on welding all the holes shut in the frame. I didn't do all that to my frame until after the cab and front clip wer eon. I also understand what you mean by trying to keep in simple. It rarely works for me. Have a good weekend!

[cst204x4]

Nice build glad to see your using a respirator

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by BlueBullet

I am trying to figure out if I am a Grinder or a Welder.

Ha, I'm a grinder! You mean, it doesn't have to be over the top and showy?

[BlueBullet]

After getting back from fishing I was able to get a few hours in the shop. I finished grinding and got the frame wire wheeled. I got the grinding discs below at Menards and was impressed. Did all the grinding on the frame and still some of the disc left. Had a cheapo and it lasted a couple spot welds.

[BlueBullet]

Originally Posted by cst204x4

Nice build glad to see your using a respirator

Thanks. Yea I don't want to think what I would feel like if I wasn't wearing the respirator. Lots of crude floating in the air. I had to change out the filters before I started wire wheeling.

[BlueBullet]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Ha, I'm a grinder! You mean, it doesn't have to be over the top and showy?

I am glad I am not alone. It seems no matter how hard it is to not go over the top, it still happens some where along a build. Wether it is the whole project or for example the frame. I could have just bolted on the leafs and kept going but you now how that goes."Well I am this far if I am going to clean it up nows the time". And then it snow balls.. Also I have come to the realization that if I make them too nice I am afraid to use them.

[BlueBullet]

The wife just point out the black stuff came out in the wash. Our washer dumps into our utility sink. Another example of why to where a respirator.

[BlueBullet]

Got the frame primed and painted the past few days. Installed mounts and springs today after work and started in on the K30.

[BlueBullet]

Why is it that every time one tries to not make a mess draining the antifreeze half of it ends up on the floor. Maybe it's just me. You would think if they don't want you dumping out in the back yard they would make a way to drain without making a mess. Anyone else have this problem or a way to not make a mess.

You will have to excuse the last couple pictures I must of not notice dirty camera.

[BlueBullet]

Hoping to get the body stripped off the K30 tomorrow. If everything goes well will possibly even get the axles swapped. I will probably assembly from here on and come back and repair and restore what is needed to make dependable and functional.

[Dieselwrencher]

Oh no, you definitely aren't the only one! Just when you've got it and won't have a mess, something moves and you have lake "fluids everywhere"! Never fails. Nice work on the truck. It sure is coming along nicely.

[BlueBullet]

Today was a productive day. Got the K30 body removed. One thing about a Minnesota rust bucket is that it was so rusty I only had to loosen one cab bolt and was able to remove it. I didn't have to take the two bolts out of the radiator support either. The driver's side was so rusty the inner fender was only held on by three bolts out of however many.

[BlueBullet]

Called on a seat today on Craigslist and will be trading some parts for it. Got sidetracked on that and had to tear into one of the parts trucks. Was meaning to do this at some point because I need some parts off this truck also for Big Bird. The Longhorn came originally with Parchment interior but the door panels are toast. So I am going to use all the black interior out of this truck and steering column. Possibly be using some of the front sheet metal.

[BlueBullet]

Picture troubles

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice deconstruction and nice skid loader. We have a small case that is broken. I miss that thing.

[BlueBullet]

Yea it's nice having the equipment especially since I do most of this on my own. I had the wife come out and take pictures. Got the other parts truck tore down and put back in the bone pile. Also ready to pull differentials on the K30. Full day for today and tomorrow so not much progress. Back at it Wednesday night.

[BlueBullet]

Got the axles in place and checked to make sure my ubolts would work. Front ones are right but the rears are wrong. I was going to do a ubolt flip in the back but it didn't dawn on me the brake backing plate is too close. Will exchange rear ubolts tomorrow.

[BlueBullet]

I put an add a leaf in the factory K20 HD spring pack to get to K30 specs. By doing so it has raised my spring plate up 3/4". I was thinking of just making a shim out of 3/4" flat stock. Anybody have any thoughts?

[Dieselwrencher]

Are you meaning for the D60 stud mounts?

[BlueBullet]

Yep

[Dieselwrencher]

Yes, you could use 3/4" flat stock. I've used washers and cut one side down in a pinch before too. It wouldn't hurt to get longer bolts too.

[fishnixon]

Inspiring build!...thanks for letting me know about it. I’ll keep an eye on the build. If you can put as many pics on the front end conversion as possible, that’d be great...like you mentioned, some cool builds are not pictured because of third party hosting issues. So with that said, I think I am committing to a 4x4 conversion on Dumptruck Dolly. Keep up the great work! Let me know if you’re coming up to Ely...anytime.

[Dieselwrencher]

A 4x4 DRW dump truck would be excellent!

[BlueBullet]

My plan is eventually make it into a dump truck. A few things I have left out on the front conversion is the radiator mount holes line up on a '72 frame. It is a tight fit. I drilled holes out to 7/16 then put ALL the bolts in then tighten it up. If you don't do so the bolt holes don't line up exact. I also went back and looked on the first page and noticed I wasn't very clear on how I drilled the rear holes for the rear hangers of the front springs. I cut out the same location on my donor frame. Then lined the holes for the cab mount and drilled out the 1 7/8 hole for bushing block. Hopefully that makes sense. I will add a few more close up pictures to show what holes I welded up. I welded up the holes before I got far enough in 7dee2's thread and noticed I welded the hole that can be used to put the brake lines through. I will post the route I am going to go now.